Ferry Trips From Kyoto

Kyoto is a landlocked city, but there are a number of seaports that you can access quite easily by public transport. In this article Jun Kitayama introduces the best ferry services from the seaports near Kyoto.

A Guide to Japanese Ferries

In Japan, ferries tend to have a poor image and most people assume they are uncomfortable and tiring. Tell someone, “I’m taking a ferry” and the likely response is, “Don’t do it!” Of course you don’t need to follow such advice. Most Japanese ferries these days are quite modern (with all the older boats being sold off to Greece and the Philippines) and traveling by ferry can be very pleasant indeed. Also, big ferries don’t roll so much on light waves, so you don’t need to worry about getting seasick.

Check Hotel Availability

Destination

Check-in date

Check-out date

However, because of this enduring negative image, a lot of ferry routes are short on passengers. Ferries really only get booked up over the New Year and Obon holiday periods, and at those times the fares go up, too. During other periods, though, there are always empty seats and you can easily buy a ticket on the day you travel. The ferry companies survive, though, because they can still make a profit carrying cargo.

Onboard Facilities

There are many classes of accommodation which you can choose from according to your budget. These range from the “carpet seats” to suites. Carpet seats are open rooms where you lie quite literally on the carpet, and they aren’t so comfortable. Spending a little more on a bed is recommended. It won’t cost you that much more, and when you consider the money you are saving on a hotel, then booking a private room is a smart choice too.

Berths and private rooms have electrical outlets, but carpet seats often don’t. Some ferries have outlets in public areas that anyone can use.

Ferries with Wi-Fi access are still quite rare, but when you are in sight of land you should be able to use your mobile phone.

Onboard restaurants are no more expensive than those on land, but if you really want to cut costs you can stock up on provisions before you embark.

Many ferry terminals are far from urban centers. There are buses to get you to the ports easily enough, but remember to do your shopping before you get on the bus.

Aside from smaller vessels, ferries have public baths (separated by gender), where you can bathe while enjoying an ocean view. Of course you can take a dip as many times as you like and it is absolutely free.

How To Use The Japan Ferry Map

Click on the menu icon on the top left of the map to make the menu slide out. You’ll see three different headings – Lines, Bridges and Terminals. The Lines denote the ferry routes; the Terminals denote the ports of call; and the Bridges are the major bridges that the ferries pass under along their route.

A Guide to Ferry Routes Accessible from Kyoto

There are four major sea routes that can easily be accessed from Kyoto. These are the Hokkaido Sea Route, the Seto Inland Sea Route, the Southern Kyushu & Okinawa Sea Route, and the Pacific Sea Route. Let’s take a look at the ferry companies serving these routes.

One ferry departs from Maizuru in Kyoto Prefecture at 00.30 and arrives at Otaru in Hokkaido at 20.45.

Another departs from Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture at 1.00 and arrives at Tomakomai East Port in Hokkaido at 20.30.

There is also a weekly route that goes from Tsuruga at 10.00 via Niigata (22.30), and Akita (15.50 the following day), and on to Tomakomai East Port at 17.20. The fare is the same as for the direct ferry. It’s a route that will appeal to those who prefer to take a more leisurely trip.

Points to Consider:

The direct ferry from Tsuruga has outdoor “rotenburo” style baths.

These big elegant ferries aren’t flashy but the service is good, and they are built to an extremely high standard.

There are very few passengers so it is usually very quiet.

Because the departure time is late, they will let passengers on early so they can get settled in.

This is the shortest course to Hokkaido, with a same-day arrival, and the ferry flies along at 50km per hour. The experience of sailing at full speed ahead is quite exhilarating.

Because of the speed, passengers who wish to go outside are restricted to the rear deck for their own safety.

For most of the journey you won’t see any land, just the sea, and your phone will have no reception.

Your destinations have a remote Asian flavor. Otaru is an old port city with long rows of stone warehouses. Tomakomai East Port is also located in a wild area on the city outskirts, so you might feel like you have arrived in Siberia.

You should be prepared for the fact that just a little bad weather can cause delays.

The Seto Inland Sea Route

You won’t get bored watching the constantly changing scenery of the Seto Inland Sea with its many islands, bridges, and countless boats sailing back and forth. However, domestic ferries largely travel by night.

The sweeping turns of a big ferry as it moves forward is a lot of fun.

Waves are fairly gentle on the Inland Sea so the ferry won’t roll around too much. However, when there is a typhoon the ferry will be automatically cancelled.

One ferry departs from Osaka Nanko Port at 19.05 and arrives at Beppu Kanko Port (Kyushu) at 6.55 the next day.

The other ferry departs from Kobe at 19.00 and arrives at Oita (Kyushu) at 6.20 the next day.

Points to Consider:

The sea route to Beppu has 100 years of history.

Fares are high. However, there is an extremely cheap three-day round-trip Night Cruise plan with two nights’ accommodation on board the ferry. This bargain plan may be suitable for younger travelers who can enjoy the boat trip to the Beppu hot springs without having to pay for a hotel. Round trip tickets with sleeping berths start from 12,340 yen.

Route Details:
This company runs four services a day from Kobe to Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture (Shikoku). The trip takes 4 hours and 15 minutes. There is also a night ferry and a service that goes via Shodoshima.

The ferry is small and a one-way ticket is just 1,990 yen.

You can get a great view of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge that links Honshu to Awaji Island.

On board the boat you can enjoy Kagawa Pefecture’s famous Sanuki Udon noodles.

Route Details:
This ferry runs from Osaka at 15.30 and arrives at Busan in Korea at 10.00 the following day. There are three services a week.

This ferry is old, but it has a great range of services.

This ferry also has Wi-Fi.

Depending on the season you can sometimes see the Great Seto Bridge.

The ferry passes through the Kammon Straits between the islands of Honshu and Kyushu. These straits are so narrow that they seem like a river. Even though it is a night passage it is still very impressive.

This ferry departs from Shin-Moji before 19.00, stopping at Tokushima at 11.30 and arriving at Tokyo at 5.40 the following day.

The return ferry departs from Tokyo before 19.30, stopping at Tokushima at 14.20 and arriving at Shin-Moji at 5.40 the following day.

To get to Shin-Moji the car ferry from Osaka is convenient, the worthwhile part of this trip is the journey from Tokushima to Tokyo.

Recently all four ferry boats have been rebuilt.

The Tokushima terminal has also moved and ferry transfers have become much smoother.

The only food available on board is from vending machines. However, these vending machines do have a good reputation

Japan Ferry Pass 21

A great way to explore Japan by ferry is with the new Japan Ferry Pass 21 ticket that allows you to ride six of the ferries described above during a 21-day period. For full details, check the Japan Ferry Pass 21 website.

Japan Travel Guides

Disclosure: InsideKyoto.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and amazon.co.uk.